We Landed: Florida 2016

The warmth is the first thing I remember noting. You can’t hide from it. It radiates out of every one you meet. Their skin, eyes and smiles all ooze with vitamin D, it pours out of every pore, and everybody has this all-consuming cheery demeanor that glows around them. A visible happy aura. It’s like they wake up in the morning, brush their teeth, have a shower, eat some breakfast and then drape on some cheer. In my experience this only happens when you live with the constant sun.

With my next thought the heat hits my body like a shotgun blast to the chest, and its wonderful. For the first time in a long time my bones don’t ache. As the warmth waves over me I wonder if I will become that joyful?

“Hope you had a pleasant flight sir. Enjoy your holiday!” Stated an ever so energetic flight attendant who said everything through a smile. She had no lipstick smears nor hair or heel out-of-place and still so happy, even after an eight-hour (plus) journey. That’s good customer service!

It had been a pleasant flight. I mean, I had may have drunk a little too much during the flight, which had brought a terrible drooth upon me now but I had also slept well so I couldn’t complain too much. All I needed was a drop of water. I knew it wouldn’t be too long until we were at the hotel.

“Boss, did you grab that water off the plane?”, I knew the answer before I asked the question but I was living with hope. She shook her head while looking at me with the same casual ‘you’re an idiot’ look. I was kicking myself for not taking the water. It was free, costing nothing but a thank you upon acceptance. Who doesn’t love a free anything? Let alone something as necessary as water. Always acting the tough guy! Boss is not the best flyer and I do have a habit of asking tedious questions that I already know the answer to so I could understand her response. She was relieved to be back on the ground.

Boss and Stef had been planning this holiday for quite some time. Ever since our first visit a return had been on the cards and it was one I was powerless to stop. Not that I wanted to, I just like to protest.

“I think we have some water”, said Niall “or d’you want me to go grab some?”.

“nah, its ok. Won’t be long till we are at the hotel, I’ll grab somethin then” I replied. Always acting the tough guy.